Flora's Walk for Perinatal Mental Health
I have volunteered as a co-leader with the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collective, to coordinate Team Whitby/Oshawa with Dr. Sarah McAteer of Whitby Chiropractic and Wellness Centre. We came across this initiative earlier this year and it spoke directly to us, as we both are apart of many pre- and post-natal journeys with our clients. 2023 will be the second year for Flora’s Walk in Canada, but the first for Durham Region. The walk is named after Flora Babakhani, a Canadian mom who tragically lost her life to untreated postpartum psychosis on January 14th, 2022, just 2 months after giving birth to her daughter. Read more about Flora at: https://cpmhc.ca/floras-story/
While I have not directly experienced pregnancy or birth myself, I have lived with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Panic Attack Disorder (PAD) for the majority of my life. I have experienced other monumental shifts in my life that has impacted my mental health and anxiety, and can only appreciate how much the perinatal experience can do as well.
I have witnessed many friends, family and clients navigate this world, and many have experienced some of the highest highs as well as the lowest lows. And as a health care provider, I want to make sure that anyone who may be experiencing these hardships to know…YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Which is why Dr. Sarah and I, joined this mission to create a network, space and resources for the Whitby & Oshawa community to lean on if or when needed.
Why is Perinatal Mental Health Important?
Perinatal refers to the time period from conception to one year postpartum.
Perinatal mental illness refers to prenatal and/or postpartum - depression, anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and psychosis.
Some of the consequences of untreated perinatal mental illness include: Chronic depression; impaired parental-infant attachment; impaired cognitive/psychosocial development for the child; and maternal suicide or infanticide.
The health and wellbeing of mothers and families impacts every community in Canada.
Unlike the UK, Australia, and the US, Canada does not have a National Perinatal Mental Health Strategy. A National Perinatal Mental Health Strategy created in consultation with Canadians and provincial and territorial governments would ensure women, men, and birthing people receive treatment in a timely manner.
Suicide is the 4th leading case of maternal death in Canada with one in every 19 maternal deaths in Ontario attributable to suicide.
Where the money raised will go:
75% of the funds raised will go towards CPMHCs new strategic plan that prioritizes the development of nationwide provincial/territorial advocacy chapters. With the government currently working with CPMHC to prioritize perinatal mental health, we need to take advantage and advocate from the ground up and the top down = stronger impact.
25% of the funds raised will go into our new ‘COMMUNITY POT’ that will support new/existing community-based initiatives and training scholarships for our Walk Leaders who support families within the perinatal period.
How you can participate:
We have organized two ways for you to join Team Whitby/Oshawa if you’d like:
This yoga class is for all experience levels! We will move and stretch our bodies and form a connection which is proven to be optimal for mental wellness!
Saturday May 6th at 1:30pm
Veda Yoga & wellness
209 Dundas St E Whitby
Only 11 spots left!
How to join:
Click the link below and create a Flora's Walk profile.
Join our Team Whitby/Oshawa
Complete the form in the Team Whitby/Oshawa description
Share with your community to start fundraising
(please note there is a $30 minimum donation required for Yoga)
Join us on Instagram on for a silent auction online! Prizes have been donated from local, female-owned businesses (see below)
Wednesday, May 3rd at 10am
for 24 hours
On Instagram
How to join:
Follow @riversrmt & @dr.sarahmcateer on IG
Set your alarms on Wednesday May 3rd @10am
Place your bid in the comments of the item(s) you'd like.
Keep an eye on your bids over 24hours!
Top bidders will be contact to make their bid donation to our Team page and coordinate pick up.
#FlorasWalk4PMH
Every donation, social media post and in-person discussion with friends and family can help save a life.
We want to also give a big THANK YOU to Veda Yoga & Wellness for donating their space and time to host Flora’s Flow!
And thank you to Danielle McGarry Branding & Photographer for donating your time to capture our Flora’s Yoga Flow event!
If you’d like to join out team for the Walk or Yoga Flow you can do so here:
https://floraswalk.ca/en/t/whitbyoshawa
If you’d like to donate to the Flora’s Walk you can do so here:
https://floraswalk.ca/en/heather-rivers
Thank you to our sponsors
Women’s Health Physio - Bronze
One Love Yoga & Wellness - Bronze
Her Fit Camp - Pewter
Dr. Sarah McAteer - Pewter
Whitby Chiropractic Wellness Centre - Pewter
Heather Rivers RMT - Pewter
Kinetic Kids - Pewter
